Uncoded

Published purpose

The project aims to increase the employability of vulnerable young Malians, especially women and gold washers, by improving technical and vocational training in promising fields of employment. Each year, about 200,000 young Malians join the labour market, and many lack the necessary entry-level qualifications. The project thus seeks to build the capacity of five vocational training centres to provide quality training each year to strengthen the skills of 1,200 vulnerable youth (including 325 women) in the agri-food sector and mining-related trades (automotive mechanics, metal processing and electrical trades). The project also supports youth labour-market entry assistance organizations to enable them to improve governance and service delivery. Project activities are executed in the Bamako, Kayes, Sikasso and Koulikoro regions and include the following: (1) 70 teachers are being trained; (2) eight training programs that use the skills-based approach are being developed and implemented in the agri-food sector and mining-related trades to reflect labour-market needs; (3) a mobile training unit is being set up to upgrade the qualifications of gold washers or to steer them toward related trades; (4) 100 young people (including 30 women) are being helped to create micro-businesses, via financial support and consulting services for new entrepreneurs; (5) labour-market entry assistance organizations are establishing and strengthening youth job search services and business internships.